Forest conservation is an essential strategy for addressing climate change. Your support helps the Forest Society conserve and manage forests for the long term.
To make an additional gift toward forest stewardship for today and tomorrow, please visit forestsociety.org/ stewardshipmatters.
The friendships forged in New Hampshire’s sk iing community are some of the tightest bonds in spor ts today Meet three organizations who are carr ying the torch of togetherness for generations young and old
Senior Director of Education Dave Anderson writes about the nexus between ar t and nature and their restoring proper ties during turbulent times
Photo by Ryan Smith.
Preser ving the Bog, Expanding the Horizon + New Trail Work Stabilizes a Storied Trail
Arey ’ s Arrival + Word Search Puzzle + Forester of the Year
Winters, Evolving Strategies in Winter Forest Operations
CHAIR
Drew Kellner, Brookline
VI CE CHAIR
Peter Fauver, North Conway SECRETARY
Allyson Hicks, Concord
TREASURER
Jason Hicks, Meredith
PRESID E NT
Jack Savage, Middleton
B OARD O F TRUSTEES
Susan Arnold, Strafford
Philip Bryce, Deering
Deb Buxton, Greenfield
George Epstein, Silver Lake
Don Floyd, Concord
Jameson French, Portsmouth
Patricia Losik, Rye
Nancy Martland, Sugar Hill
Amy Reagle Meyers, Jaffrey
Michael Morison, Peterborough
Elizabeth Salas, Weare
Bill “ Tuck” Tucker, Goffstown
Tom Wagner, Campton
Janet Zeller, Concord STAFF
Ben Aldrich, Field Forester
Frank Allen, Building and Grounds Assistant
Sarah AlSamaraee, Stewardship & Forestry Administrative Coordinator
Dave Anderson, Senior Director of Education
Kristine Arey, Program Director, The Rocks
Brie Belisle, Regional Stewardship Manager
Nik Berube, Maintenance Assistant
Naomi Brattlof, Director of Easement Stewardship
Rita Carroll, Tree Farm Administrator
Tony Cheek, Vice President for Finance
Connie Colton, Land Protection and Stewardship Coordinator
Linda Dammann, Development Assistant
Carrie Deegan, Vice President for Recreation Management and Public Engagement
Leah Hart, Land Conservation Project Manager
Stacie Hernandez, Land Conservation Project Manager
Brian Hotz, Vice President for Land Conservation
Steve Junkin, Field Forester
Susanne Kibler-Hacker, Senior Philanthropy Advisor
Allan Krygeris, Senior Technolog y Specialist
Matt Leahy, Public Policy Director
Margaret Liszka, Membership Director
Nigel Manley, Senior Outreach Manager, The Rocks
Ann McCoy, Development Manager
Stephanie Milender, Human Resource Director
Michelle Morse, Finance Specialist
Carl Murphy, Facilities Manager
Sophie Oehler, Communications Coordinator
Cara Pearson, Membership Specialist
Meredith Reed O Donnell, Foundation Relations Manager
Tina Ripley, Administrative Coordinator
Jack Savage, President
Matt Scaccia, Recreation and Community Relations Manager
Ryan Smith, Communications Manager
Kaity Stanton, Regional Development Manager – Seacoast
Maria Stewart, Senior Executive Assistant
Dylan Summers, Stewardship Projects Manager
Laurel Swope-Brush, Land Steward & Volunteer Programs Coordinator
Lauren Thomas, Administrative Assistant, The Rocks
Anne Truslow, Vice President for Development
Wendy Weisiger, Managing Forester
Harriette Yazzie-Whitcomb, Administrative Assistant
This year we’ve enjoyed what we might call an old-fashioned New Hampshire winter, with consistent cold temperatures driving frost into the ground, a long stretch of powder snowfall, and bluebird days for traditional winter p
e Nordic and downhill skiing, ice skating, ice fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and forest management It’s the kind of winter that reminds us why we cut firewood and split kindling
The return of a traditional winter has been good for the soul in a time of abrupt change and uncertainty Federal funding freezes and inevitable cuts are reverberating among government agencies and nongovernment organizations alike. Managing t
wildlife is done by thinking, planning, acting long-term with consistency, and our collective success depends on partnerships, people, and mutual support
While the Forest Society uses federal f
habitat improvement projects, our operating budget is funded through diverse earned income streams In forestr y and agriculture, uncertainty is a familiar way of life, and ironically, this cold winter c o m b i n
has helped our foresters accomplish many o
year. This advances both our silvicultural goals and generates revenue that helps advance our organizational work.
T h e t o u r i s t d e s t i n a t
Gorge, managed through our partners at White Mountains Attractions, is another i m p o r t a n t r e v e
engaged thousands of visitors in fun outd
Tr e e Farm and Maple Museum at The Rocks, along with short-term vacation rentals in the historic Gardener’s Cottage, also help u s s u p p o r t o u r c o r e c o n s e r v a t i o n a n d stewardship mission.
B u t m o s t o f a l l w e r e l y o n y o u , o u r m
Ever y day, our staff and volunteers work
the lands we own and the trails and the
mission depends on you, and I thank you for that
Jack Savage is the president of the Forest Society. He can be reached by email at jsavage@forestsociety.org.
Living in high, hazardous places forestsociety.org/zoneabove
Take our big bird sur vey forestsociety.org/turkeysur vey
“Painted [on January 27] at The Rocks, in Bethlehem, N.H. Done while hubby skied at Cannon Nice day in the White Mountains!”
#lesliescottlysan artist
Tag #forestsociety on Instagram for a chance to be featured in a future issue of Forest Notes.
A nonprofit membership organization founded in 1901 to protect the state’s most important landscapes and promote wise use of its renewable natural resources
Basic annual membership fee is $45 and includes a subscription to Forest Notes
Editor: Ryan Smith
Design & Production: The Secret Agency
Printing: R.C. Brayshaw & Company, Inc.
Forest Notes is printed on elemental chlorine-free Sappi Flo paper with 10 percent post-consumer recycled content Sappi Flo is made from pulp purchased from suppliers who document sound environmental practices and sustainable forest management.
Permission is required for reproduction of any part of this magazine
Copyright 2025 SPNHF US ISSN: 0015 7457
54 Portsmouth Street, Concord, N H 03301 | Phone: 603-224-9945 | Fax: 603-228-0423
info@forestsociety org | forestsociety org
The Forest Society proudly supports the following organizations:
The Rocks’ Forever Green program forestsociety.org/forevergreen
In December 2024, former Governor Chris Sununu joined the New Hampshire L a n d a n d C o m m u n i t y H e r i t a g e Investment Program (LCHIP) Committee in announcing $3 3 million in matching g r a n t s t o s u p p o r t 2 6 l a n d c o n s e r v a t i o n and historic preser vation projects across the state. The grants will support efforts to rehabilitate 14 historic buildings and permanently conser ve more than 3,314 acres of farmland, timberland, and ecologically significant habitat in all corners of the state.
T h e F o r e s t S o c i e t y w a s a w a r d e d $250,000 to help purchase 375 acres in Alton that will expand the Evelyn H. and Albert D Morse, Sr Preserve and $197,000 to conserve 454 acres encompassing much of Campton Bog in Campton and Rumney
The Forest Society originally conserved the Evelyn H and Albert D Morse, Sr
P r e s e r v e i n 2 0 0 8 a n d , s i n c e t h a t t i m e , has worked with adjacent landowners to expand the acreage The $250,000 LCHIP grant award will support the acquisition of 375 acres, bringing the total acreage of the Morse Preserve up to 1,065 Located at the southern end of the existing preserve, this addition will significantly expand the network of contiguous conservation land in the southern Belknap Range
The property, visible from Alton Bay, includes the ridgeline from Pine Mountain t o R o c k y M o u n t a i n , w h i c h p r o v i d e s exceptional higher elevation habitat and serves as a wildlife corridor A beaver pond on the northern boundary hosts a heron rooker y and a logging road through the p r o p e r t y i s u s e d b y l o c a l h u n t e r s a n d r e c r e a t i o n i s t s . A c c o r d i n g t o N H F i s h and Game’s 2020 Wildlife Action Plan, 32 percent of the property is considered “ Ti e r 1 ” h a b i t a t , o r s o m e o f t h e b e s t wildlife habitat in the state Ninety acres
o f t h e p r o p e r t y f a l l w i t h i n a w e l l h e a d
Thanks to a LCHIP grant of $250,000, the Forest Society was able to purchase 375 acres in Alton, increasing the total acreage of land protected at the Morse Preserve to 1,065.
protection area for Alton Water Works, which supplies water to 700 residential and commercial buildings
The second LCHIP grant awarded to the Forest Society will support the purc h a s e o f
Rumney The property encompasses most of Campton Bog (which, in fact, is technically a fen rather than a bog). Campton Bog is a high-quality peat wetland complex of regional significance. Peatland habitats are extremely important for carbon sequestration on a local and global scale; and peatlands, like Campton Bog, are biologically diverse habitats containing some 550 different plants many of them highly specialized to their environment such as sheep laurel, leatherleaf, willows, pitcher plants, and sundews. Campton Bog provides critical habitat for numerous waterfowl, birds, deer, bear, moose, otters,
fish, and beaver. For all these reasons, it is also a treasured kayaking destination
“We truly appreciate LCHIP’s investm e n t i n h e l p
y conser ve these two parcels of land, the M o r s e P
Bog,” said Forest Society President Jack Savage. “These LCHIP grants will enable the Forest Society to protect critical watershed and wildlife habitat, help our forests remain resilient in a changing climate, and preser ve recreational opportunities for Granite Staters. Across the state, LCHIP
assets that define our state. We’re pleased to be part of that ”
LCHIP grant recipients must match each dollar contributed by LCHIP with at least one added dollar and complete the funded projects according to the program’s rigorous standards This year’s $3 3 million awards will be matched by more than $9 million from other public and private sources, infusing $12 3 million into the state’s economy through direct project activity.
F
D
o
h
n
work has continued to grow as a priority
Wi t h t h i s g o a l i n m i n d , t h e F o r e s t
S o c i e t y p a r t n e r e d w i t h t h e A p p a l a c h i a n
M o u n t a i n C l u b ’s ( A M C ) N e w E n g l a n d
P r o f e s s i o n a l Tr a i l C r e w i n t h e f a l l o f
2 0 2 4 t o r e s t o r e a n e s p e c i a l l y g u l l i e d
s e c t i o n o f t h e t r a i l , a b o u t h a l f w a y u p
t h e m o u n t a i n O v e r t h e c o u r s e o f f o u r weeks, the crew installed nine rock steps, e l e v e n c h e c k s t e p s , a n d t w o w a t e r b a r s .
“ T h i s w o r k l i m i t s e r o s i o n , e n c o u r a g e s
h i k e r s t o s t a y o n t h e t r a i l , a n d h e l p s t o protect sustainable access to the summit
o f M o u n t M o n a d n o c k , ” s a y s C a i t l i n McCarthy, AMC’s Southern New England trails program manager The new staircase
a l s o d r a m a t i c a l l y i m p r o v e s s a f e t y a n d enhances the aesthetic experience along
t h i s s e c t i o n o f t r a i l . T h i s p r o j e c t w a s generously supported by a grant awarded through the New Hampshire Recreational
Tr a i l s P r o g r a m ( R T P ) , w h i c h c o v e r e d 8 0 percent of the cost of the crew Restoring
Monadnock’s trails is a cooperative effort
s
Parks, the Forest Society, and many other
“AMC is proud to be a part of the work to protect the natural integrity of Mount Monadnock for generations to come.”
For years, erosion and poor footing has plagued a section of Mount Monadnock’s Dublin Trail (left). To resolve these issues, the Forest Society worked together with an Appalachian Mountain Club trail crew to install a rock staircase (pictured at right) in fall 2024 T h e F
welcome Kristine Arey as the new program
Cottrell-Baldwin Environmental Lec ture Series
the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains A Littleton resident, she is ready to further improve The Rocks visitor e
and collaborate with the North Country’s passionate community of volunteers.
The Forest Society is thrilled to have K
guiding the future of The Rocks. Stop in and give Kristine a warm Forest Society welcome if you’re in the neighborhood.
Fox State Forest, 309 Center Road, Hillsborough, NH 03244
This year ’s series features New England authors writing on themes of wildlife and forests from their own unique personal histories and experiences as wildlife biologists, naturalists, and foresters
For details about this free series, visit forestsociety.org/events.
The Forest Society is honored to celebrate Managing Forester Wendy Weisiger as the Granite State Division of the Society of American Foresters’ (SAF) Forester of the Year. Presented annually to a New Hampshire forester, the award recognizes the achievements and excellence of individuals who advance the knowledge and understanding of forestr y in the state “Although the award has ‘of the year’ in its title, those selected for this honor invariably have a long record of effort, service, a n d a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s , ” s t a t e s C o n n o r Breton, chair of the Granite State Division SAF and forester with the NH Division of Forests and Lands “These are people who whole-heartedly give and work to the benefit of New Hampshire’s lands, wildlife, and greater forest communities These are people who lead by example and who show or teach others the good that forestry can do in the places they love Wendy is highly deser ving of the award for these reasons and for many others ”
At the Forest Society, Weisiger oversees a team of foresters who implement sustainable forestry practices across 200 properties comprising 66,000 acres. These lands are open to public access and are managed for sustainable forestry, recreation, water quality, wildlife habitat, and climate resiliency Beyond this role, she has previously served with the Granite State Division SAF as chair to the executive committee, and she currently serves on the executive board of New England SAF She also serves on the UNH Forestry Advisory Board, NH Agricultural Experiment Station Advisory Committee, and chairs the board of NH Project Learning Tree. In recent years, she has taken part in Women in the Woods a partnership with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, NH Timberland O w n e r s A s s o c i a t i o n , a n d t h e F o r e s t Society which gives women landowners
the necessary resources and skills to help them make informed stewardship decisions for managing healthy, sustainable land “Wendy has an undeniable strength in cultivating and maintaining strong relationships across the New England forestry community,” says Gabe Roxby, Natural Resources Conservation Service state forester with the USDA Natural Resource Conser vation Ser vice. “She knows just about everyone and is involved in so many groups where she consistently serves as a strong voice and advocate for sustainable forestry She is a selfless and loyal friend and colleague, always thinking of others. She has been a driving force behind the Forest Society’s outreach and education on forestry through active timber harvest tours and provides so many learning opportunities for students of all ages. No matter the effort, she is always involved and looking to contribute in a meaningful way ”
Although she is proud of her accomplishments, Weisiger is quick to admit a forester’s job is never finished, especially in these times “We’re on the brink of a climate crisis and more and more people
both as a place of refuge and for their
the impacts of climate change,” she says “I’m looking for ward to continuing the F o r e s t S o c i e t y ’s w
p i n g N e w Hampshire’s working forests resilient and healthy now and in the future.”
The Forest Society encourages landowners to consult with a licensed forester before undertaking land management activities. The following are paid advertisers.
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Licensed foresters should address inquiries about advertising to Anne Truslow by calling 603-224-9945 or emailing atruslow@forestsociety org
Story and photos by Ben Aldrich
Historically, most timber har vesting in New Hampshire occurred during the winter Before logging m a c h i n e r y w a s i n v e n t e d , t r e e s w e r e felled with an ax and moved, or skidded, by a team of draft horses or oxen The frictionless snow-blanketed ground made it easier for the animals to drag the logs to the “rollways” along the riverbanks. When the river ice thawed in late spring, the meltwaters would carr y the rafts of logs to the mills.
A cold snowy winter protects undergrowth from being damaged; insulates the frozen ground, keeping it solid until mud season; and protects the soil from compaction and erosion during a harvest. As more and more logging machiner y was introduced to the region, conducting a timber har vest in winter became the most reliable way to minimize impacts on soil and undergrowth from the heavy equipment. With our winters warming due to climate change, however, temperature and precipitation fluctuations have decreased the longevity of the once reliable snowpack and frozen ground. Over the last 50 years, New England’s average air temperature in winter has risen by more than 3° F, more than in any other season An increase of a few degrees does not sound like much, but it can greatly influence whether it rains or snows Overall, researchers are seeing our winters trending warmer with less snowpack and fewer days with frozen ground, resulting in a shorter time period that is suitable for harvesting. The variability of our winters year to year has also increased, leading to increased uncertainty.
For example, in December 2024, New Hampshire saw a well-developed snowpack d i s a p p e a r f o l l o w i n g h e a v y r a i n s t o r m s . This phenomenon, called a rain-on-snow
A multi-purpose processing machine at High Watch
timber while stabilizing a logging skid trail with the leftover treetops, limbs, and broken
common as the climate warms. Rain-on-
the snowpack, which in turn can rapidly thaw the soil. If proper measures are not in place, this influx of rainwater may wash down the skid trails, causing gully erosion in the logging machiner y tracks and permanently scarring the landscape Additionally, the increased flow of water in streams can cause flooding at trail and
road crossings or, in extreme cases, wash
ground freezes again. In the case of late winter rain-on-snow events, an operation may be halted until the spring mud season is over or until the following winter, as was the case for some of the Forest Society’s 2024 harvests, which are being completed this winter
C u r r e n t l y, t h e M o u n t Wa s h i n g t o n
Obser vator y is researching the impacts of these events within the high-elevation alpine zone and has documented that the number of occurrences of rain-on-snow events continues to increase, with annual fluctuations These weather patterns can also have a dramatic effect on logging
o p e r a t i o n s , o f t e n l e a d i n g t o d e l a y s o r terminations of harvests
To mitigate the soil compaction and e r o s i o n a s s o c i a t e d w i t h r a i n - o n - s n o w events and thaws, foresters and loggers
e m p l o y b e s t m a n a g e m e n t p r a c t i c e s . A t the start of an operation, insulating leaf duff and snow can be removed from the skid trails to allow them to freeze solid and stabilize. The slash from cut trees can be spread on skid trails to protect the soil by acting as a barrier between the logging equipment and the ground beneath In wet areas, where the ground would not reliably freeze, logs can be laid perpendicularly across the trail, using a technique called “corduroy” that prevents h e a v y e q u i p m e n t f r o m i m p a c t i n g t h e landscape with direct contact with the soil. Operators also create dips in the skid trails, called water bars, to divert water off the trails and minimize runoff from eroding soil and puddling.
Equipment choice plays an important role in ever y winter operation and each method of harvesting has its own advantages and disadvantages when operating on sensitive sites. But regardless of the equipment choice, foresters and loggers should work to install preventative measures prior to rain-on-snow events. And f o r e s t p r o d u c t s m a r k e t s h a v e s h i f t
significantly over the past 10 years, with m
becoming scarcer, allowing slash and lowgrade logs to be used in trail infrastructure to minimize erosion
F
e m
, using slash and low-grade wood to build resilient trails, and writing har vest plans that have contingencies for changes in
the weather. Only time will tell when the next adaptations will have to be tested and rolled out to mitigate the effects of
Top: A road for logging equipment, called a skid trail, is made with logging debris, called slash, to protect the soil at High Watch Preserve in Effingham and Freedom
Left: Slash removed from a skid trail at the Forest Society’s Monadnock Reservation facilitates a deeper freeze of the soil.
Right: Corduroy treatment of a trail. In forestry, “corduroy” refers to a temporary road built by laying logs parallel to each other, as seen here at one of the Forest Society’s recent harvests at Gap Mountain
our changing climate. But rest assured, the Forest Society will be at the forefront of these practices for generations to come.
For information about the Mount Washington Obser vator y ’s rain- on-snow research, visit mountwashington.org/research/current-research-projec ts/rain- on-snow
Take a deep dive into recommended forest management prac tices by visiting ex tension.unh.edu/goodforestr y.
Now in its 25th year, New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Wildlife Habitat Program has protected thousands of acres across the state that provide habitat for black bear and white-tailed deer.
By Jim Oehler
In 2 0 2 4 , N e w H a m p s h i r e F i s h a n d
G a m e ’s Wi l d l i f e H a b i t a t P r o g r a m (WHP) marked 25 years of dedication to maintaining and enhancing the woods, waters, and wildlife of New Hampshire. WHP was established in 1999, with the introduction of a mandator y $2 50 wildlife habitat license fee on hunting and trapping licenses This modest fee, which helps leverage three times that amount in federal funds, has proven to be a game
c h a n g e r, p r o v i d i n g c r u c i a l f u n d i n g f o r
c o n s e r v a t i o n e f f o r t s t h a t b e n e f i t b o t h wildlife and the people who enjoy the Granite State’s outdoors.
Mission
T h e p r i m a r y m i s s i o n o f W H P i s t o
c o n s e r v e h e a l t h y a n d w i l d l a n d s c a p e s that sustain our fish and wildlife, vital components of New Hampshire’s character and way of life The program achieves this through land acquisition and easements, habitat management, stewardship, and by supporting landowners.
Currently, WHP stewards over 90,000 acres across 124 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and conservation easements. This extensive land base is supported by a combination of federal funding from an excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment through the U S Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife Restoration Grant Program, matched by contributions from the wildlife habitat license fee. The fee provides the 25% match amount for federal funds, amounting to upwards of $500,000 annually toward the conser vation and management of state wildlife lands
Since its inception, the wildlife habitat license fee has facilitated the conservation o f 3 5 , 0 0 0 o f t h o
significantly improve visitor experiences a t W M A
decade. With so many WMAs under its
Stewardship efforts include maintaining 110 miles of woods roads, 175 bridges and culverts, 94 parking areas, 131 gates, and 149 WMA signs This entire infrastructure needs to be maintained to facilitate access for managing and maintaining wildlife h a b
experience for WMA visitors.
Because the primar y reason Fish and Game conserves land is to provide habitat for wildlife, many of these acres require maintenance, just like a lawn or garden Woodlands on WMAs are managed in collaboration with the NH Division of Forests and Lands to provide young forest habitat, enhance acorn production, increase cover near the forest floor, and encourage other habitat enhancements. Over 1,000 acres of fields on state lands are maintained through regular mowing by program staff, contractors, or farmers This provides nesting and foraging habitats for turkeys and songbirds, singing and roosting grounds for woodcock, and foraging areas for deer and bear. WHP also manages shrublands
and barrens Numerous techniques are used for habitat management including the implementation of specialized mulching mowers, prescribed fire, and invasive exotic plant control using targeted herbicides.
Maintaining habitats on private lands is just as important New Hampshire is one of the few states that facilitates public access on private lands that are not posted against trespass WHP rewards and assists those landowners by helping them improve habitats; and since 2001, the program has awarded $1 15 million in grants for nearly 1,000 wildlife habitat improvement projects, helping to keep over 400,000 acres open for public enjoyment. Maintenance activities include mowing field habitats, releasing apple orchards, and rejuvenating patches of young forest and shrublands. WHP staff also provide advice to landowners through a financial partnership with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative E x t e n s i o n a n d t h e D e p a r t m e n t ’s o w n trained wildlife biologists.
WHP’s impact extends to preserving the outdoor heritage and sporting traditions of New Hampshire, ensuring that future generations will always have a place to h u n t , f i s h , o r v i e w w i l
f e . W h e t h e r it be pursuing an iconic game species, such as whitetail deer, black bear, wild turkey, or upland gamebirds, or honing w i l d l i f e i d e n t i fi c
activities is a source of pride for WHP staff
A s W H P c e l e b r a t e s i t s s i l v e r a n n iversary, it continues to look ahead with a commitment to furthering its mission By leveraging federal funds, one day increasing revenue from the wildlife habitat fee, and strengthening partnerships, the program aims to expand its conservation efforts. The portfolio of diverse Fish and Game lands exemplifies the achievements of dedicated conser vation efforts and the promise of continued stewardship for the future
Jim Oehler is the Wildlife Habitat Program supervisor at the NH Fish & Game Department.
The Forest Society Mobile App, powered by OuterSpatial, makes getting outside easy by putting information about amazing destinations – including photos & maps – at your fingertips.
By Sophie Oehler
Growing up in southern New Hampshire, the seasons of my childhood were defined by community sports organizations. I played soccer for my town’s rec league. I cross-country skied on trails groomed by our local snowmobile club and snowshoed on forested paths protected by a local land trust.
For many of us in New England, access to outdoor recreation begins in our communities, where social connections abound and financial obstacles do not. In celebration of the organizations that spur the future of New England sports forward, here are three winter community sports opportunities that continue to define our region’s outdoor landscapes.
On any other day, the golf course at the Woodstock Nordic Center in Woodstock, Vt , sprawls in a snowy, tranquil expanse of groomed trails, stoic birch groves, and rolling hillocks; the only noise: the wind and the rhythmic swishing of ski across snow
But today is the 24th annual Women’s Ski Day, founded and hosted by the New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) Today, the golf course is anything but silent.
Whoops of excitement echo across the field, laughter travels on gusts of wind, a continuous call and response of “Great job, you looked amazing,” followed by, “Thank you, so did you!” punctuates each successful run, as groups upon groups of women coast down hills and across bridges, while purple glitter shimmers on their cheeks like the new snow under foot
This is one of many events that NENSA organizes throughout the year to fulfill their mission statement: Skiing better, together. “Women’s Day is so incredibly special because it welcomes women of all backgrounds and abilities,” says NENSA executive director, Heidi Lang, whose introduction to the organization was through Women’s Day as a participant “Our instructors are highly skilled; many of them are former Olympians. But our participants come from across the entire range of experience There’s a place for everyone and we prioritize bringing women together no matter where they come from ”
“ O n e o f m y f a v o r i t e t h i n g s a b o u t Wo m e n ’s D a y i s t h a t participants return year after year to ski together,” says NENSA Youth & Introductory Program Director Mackenzie Rizio “Every year feels like a reunion.”
In order to continue creating those reunion moments and further build a regional community of strong, inspired women skiers, NENSA has begun to work women’s programing into their other events “We want to find ‘on ramps’ for these women into our other programs so that they can continue to experience the full breadth of what our community has to offer,” Lang says
“We’ve added a supported tour option at one of our most popular races this year Now, former Women’s Day participants have an opportunity to both have some guidance in making that step to racing, but also to come back together and reconnect ”
NENSA has built a vast network of on-ramp infrastructure for every facet of their community with the goal of expanding not only the interest in Nordic skiing, but the networks in which the sport exists. Their Nordic Rocks program serves more than 8,000 elementary school children across New England, providing physical education instructors with the necessar y equipment and curriculum to get their classes out on the snow. The lesson plan lasts for six weeks, and the skis are beginner-friendly with bindings that allow students to strap their snow boots directly into the ski with little effort
join the Bill Koch League, a play-based youth sports league that
together,” Mackenzie Rizio says “We want to connect the ski c
ski programming It’s powerful just getting the kids exposed to t
step opportunity and really focusing on supporting these kids throughout their journey ”
By developing this community, NENSA breaks down the social-emotional barriers that often arise within competitive sport. For people brand new to an athletic activity, getting started can be an intimidating prospect, especially if the community seems to revolve around competition
“Our aim is to build a community from the ground up,” Rizio notes “From the youth to the adult level, we’re building a community around the entire landscape of the sport, for all ages and abilities ”
Another barrier to some sports is cost For that, Whaleback Mountain in Enfield, N H , has an answer
“We’re essentially a need-blind ski area. Families can apply for financial aid for anything they may need here, including s e a s o n p a s s e s , a f t
a y s Whaleback Mountain Executive Director Jon Hunt, who, when he’s not zealously overseeing every operation a ski hill requires, can be found running the chair lift on a busy winter weekend. “We’ve successfully granted 100 percent of our financial aid requests since becoming a nonprofit.”
At Whaleback, adult season passes remain at a steady $299, a n d t h e i r a d u l
5 0 For alpine skiing, where adult day passes at large resorts can range from $80–$215 and adult season passes can cost well into the thousands, Whaleback’s commitment to affordable and accessible passes is a rare one “It’s not about the bottom l i n e We ’ r e t r y i n g t o p r o v i d e o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r f a m i l i e s t o make memories,” Hunt says. “If families can’t afford to get out on the snow and learn to love this sport, there’s no way to develop future athletes who will go on to ski at bigger resorts. It’s a full cycle ”
For many, Whaleback is just a landmark on Interstate 89 But for others, the 700 feet of vertical and thirty ski trails on this small-but-mighty mountain are not only a landmark of their community, but a cornerstone.
Events run the gamut, from beginner to expert The Thursday Night Racing League for adults is perfect for all skill levels who want to compete in a social team setting. The mountain also provides after-school programming, including ski lessons, free skiing, and social enrichment, for eight local school districts
totaling six hundred children Whaleback is also the home training base for five high school downhill programs. They even offer an annual Upper Valley Ski Free Day, where anyone who lives in the Upper Valley can ski for free. No surprise that it is one of their highest lift pass sale days “We’re trying to be ever ything to ever yone,” Hunt notes “Not many businesses are doing that.”
It’s this selfless dedication to the needs of the community t
skiing. Because they’re so ingrained in the community they ser ve, it would be impossible to become anything but Hunt’s definition for the mountain: “a community center that just happens to be attached to a ski hill.”
Being at Whaleback felt like returning to the early days of alpine skiing in New Hampshire; authentic folks seeking a
something spectacular together. “Anyone who comes here feels like it’s theirs. They feel like they’re home.”
Above, left: Powder lovers were rewarded with multiple snow storms during the 2024/25 season at Whaleback Mountain.
Right: Skiers and snowboarders rejoiced as Whaleback Mountain in Enfield opened for its 70th year on December 27, 2024.
Twenty minutes southeast of Whaleback, along the banks of Grafton Pond in Grafton, N.H., Angus Gorman is creating a similar community atmosphere Named after a feldspar and mica mine that once occupied a nearby mountain of the same name, Isinglass Trails is a project that Gorman began about six years ago when his daughter was born “I’ve always liked trails And I’ve recently come to enjoy determining where trails ought to be, understanding the geographic interrelationships of place,” he says, as we cross-country ski single file down a meandering path set by Gorman himself
Isinglass is a network of hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing trails, spanning seven landowner properties, including his own, that seeks to provide a local and easily accessible outdoor adventure for anyone looking for a less-traveled path. “When my daughter was between the ages of zero and two, I would strap her into her backpack for her nap and go wander around the woods for two hours planning trails,” Gorman says. “I want this to be something that she can grow with and grow into ”
Free to access for the public though donations are highly encouraged and appreciated Isinglass provides complimentary rentals In doing so, Gorman hopes to create a resource for local kids to get outside and reap the benefits that consistent outdoor exercise offers without the barriers of cost or the feeling of not fitting in. “There’s a huge jump from going outside to play in the snow to training to be a World Cup skier I don’t think there’s enough focus on high-quality, skill-building, noncompetitive skiing,” Gorman explains. “I want to provide a setting for regular-old cross-country skiing without a big, homologated course because sometimes it doesn’t really feel like you’re in the woods on those trails The intrinsic value of the forest isn’t hitting you in the face in the same way ”
Skiing with Gorman at Isinglass, where the intrinsic value of nature took the form of snow-laden hemlock branches grazing my face a couple of times, I’m reminded of the backyard “no frills” fun that illustrated my childhood and the childhood of so many other outdoor New Englanders. It’s a reminder that you don’t need to travel hours in the car or spend money on the best gear to make the memories that spark a love for sport that lasts a lifetime.
For Angus Gorman of Isinglass Trails, part of running a cross-country ski center involves maintaining the ski rental shed (left) and spending as much of his free time as he can doing what he loves: skiing
Community sports hold an important place in the culture and heritage of New England. The networks they weave remain a tightknit fabric that spans the region’s landscape, ever expanding to welcome the newest additions of families and individuals. But for all the barriers they break down, winter community sports have their own obstacles to surmount
It’s why it is so important, now more than ever, to support the organizations that not only ser ve our communities but define them. Each year, the team behind NENSA’s Women’s Day selects a female guest speaker to address the event after lunchtime This year, Lauren King was chosen to share her story as a professional gravel bike cyclist, career professional, and mother of two.
To h e l p h e r m a n a g e t
professional athletic world, King has worked out a mantra to motivate and inspire her when the going gets tough “Strive,” as defined by King, is to surmount challenges because of your belief in the desired outcome.
W h i l e w
organizations, it became clear that what they are each striving for is the sur vival and nourishment of their community The tracks of skiers exploring Isinglass, the giddy pride in the faces o f t h e s k i
s a t N E N S A’s Wo
Whaleback’s following are each telling me they are succeeding at their missions.
In the many winters to come, may we all strive for community and for all that comes with it: belonging, homecoming, becoming better, together.
Sophie Oehler is the communications coordinator for the Forest Society.
By Dave Anderson
Perhaps you have sacred places you enjoy walking and thinking about life. I have intimate knowledge of a small patch of maybe four hundred acres surrounding our family tree farm I return annually in late November and early December, rarely visiting in other seasons.
In the chilly pre-dawn darkness, I follow time-worn deer trails The dim light of a new day seeps into the woods accompanied by the faint flutter of chickadee wings and the rustling of sleepy gray squirrels I wonder if I had observed the ancestors of these woodland animals decades ago. Had I once stumbled upon the great-great-grandfather of this young squirrel?
Nothing is flat in Sutton: if it’s not a swamp, it’s ledge. Without consciously planning my route, I tend to visit the same spots, including a little hollow a pit in the forest floor where a bobcat once stashed a fresh-killed button buck a few years back in an otherwise unremarkable spot History here is personal: forged from memories of earlier visits and discoveries. The woods and the local wildlife play out their own daily dramas while following seasonal schedules It feels good to visit for a while each year while I am still able.
This year, I started reflecting on the need for gratitude, mindfulness, and good intentions. The forest is restorative and healing These starkly beautiful winter woods remain impassive, oblivious to politics or whatever hubris I might bring with me I can leave most of that behind here and return with a lighter load I empty my mind in order to really notice the quality of light and shapes and textures of natural objects that inspire poets, artists, and photographers
The days are short, with sunset arriving shockingly early The seasons brim with metaphor, embodying the circle of life. To walk in cherished woods and to invite loved ones, from aging parents to children and grandchildren, is to create a walking
stargazer | Mixed media
Growing up in New Hampshire, our access to the outdoors is automatic. It’s common for parents of kids who live here to say, “Go outside until dinner ” I have taken that for granted my whole life. I have had the privilege of forming my relationship with nature quietly, in my own time I can walk in our woods and see a pileated woodpecker, the beavers building their lodge, or the heron rookery in our local swamp. When I meet people who have grown up in urban places without access to green space, I can casually answer their questions like “What kind of tree is that?” without even having to think I am so grateful for this and the privilege of our forests My time outside has gone past slow exploration to imagining if other creatures I share the space with enjoy it in the same way Inspiration for stargazer came from the many calm nights I spent gazing up at the stars wearing cozy sweaters imagining if bears and other beasts enjoy looking at the night sky, too Allison Dobrowski
To see more of Allison’s work, visit allisondobrowski com
meditation, a prayer for peace and hope for the future. Yet even the simplest prayer for peace takes practice The practice is, as Navajo people say, “walking in beauty.”
If we can change our perception from judgment to acceptance, we will all be better off I’m working on it Hopefully we’re all working on it together.
We need forests for mental wellness and we need one another.
Ithink of myself as a reporter, describing what I witness in the course of my days, while growing food or mucking about in swamps, for instance. What better way to understand an animal or plant than to draw it? My prints and drawings are all true stories, and often I know the title before the idea for the image appears. There’s a list of thoughts pinned to the wall, and sometimes I hang on to them for years before daring an image: “my religion has something to do with compost,” “I think snails dream,” “I am the great-granddaughter of a mariner.”
These two hand-printed intaglios (etchings) are stories of slumbering stonewalls and of the chaos and interconnectedness of a tangled bank. This last referring to the final paragraph of Darwin’s 1869 book On the Origin of Species:
“It is interesting to contemplate a tangled bank, clothed with many plants of many kinds, with birds singing on the bushes, with various insects flitting about, and with worms crawling through the damp earth, and to reflect that these elaborately constructed forms, so different from each other, and dependent on each other in so complex a manner, have all been produced by laws acting around us.”
In my version, the tangled bank is unraveling a bit in the lower right corner.
J Ann Eldridge
To see more of Ann’s work, visit jaeldridge com
I maintain a belief that the arts help to inspire, soothe, and heal. Artists, painters, poets, musicians, photographers can translate inspiration from the natural world into solace for people in times of stress and uncertainty. Just as time spent outdoors can be therapeutic, looking at images of nature is calming. Proximity to trees, plants, green spaces has been
proven to be therapeutic in clinical settings to improve rates of healing Beyond form, line, color, and texture is something of an artist’s soul, contextual and subjective. We need natural spaces just as we need the talents of those who find their inspiration there and help to interpret and represent what constitutes the human experience of an emotional landscape.
Dave Anderson is the senior director of education for the Forest Society
Story
and photos by Ryan
Smith
Dr a i n i n g t h e s o u t h e r n s l o p e s o f
t h e S a n d w i c h R a n g e a n d t h e northern slopes of the Ossipee Mountains, the Bearcamp River and its several tributaries and perennial streams
i s a n a r e a a b u n d a n t i n w i l d l i f e h a b itat from crags to creeks, mountains to meadows. Mast-worthy white pines and hemlocks shade the upper reaches of the river system throughout the year keeping t h e w a t e r fl o w i n g c l e a n a n d c o l d T h e Bearcamp is one of eleven sub-watersheds of the Saco River watershed, which spans 1,700 square miles and flows through 65 municipalities across New Hampshire and
Maine The Saco River provides drinking water for approximately 250,000 people The intact forests, streams, and aquifers within its sub-watersheds, including the Bearcamp River, play a vital part in collecting, filtering, and releasing water into the main stem of the river Without these healthy upland tributaries, the animals and people that rely on these ecosystem services would be impacted.
High up in the Bearcamp watershed, on a sleepy dirt road in North Sandwich, N H , near the confluence of the Whiteface and Cold Rivers, is where an uninhabited 1822 farmhouse that was for sale caught the
eye of Joe and Molly Nye in 1991 As they toured the property, Joe saw himself fly fishing on the cold, mountain-fed streams and Molly found inspiration in ever y corner to fuel her passion as a ceramist. “It was love at first sight,” Joe says “Molly and I grew up in old houses and enjoyed getting out in nature. So after seeing the surrounding 10-acre meadow, the rivers, the beaver ponds, and the deep woods with tall pines, we were sold ” Beyond their own pursuits, the couple saw great potential in the home and the land to hold family gatherings and create many traditions that continue today. “Our home provided a
confluence for the next generations three in total of our family At one point, we cut nine cross-country ski trails and named e a c h o n e f o r o u r g r a n d c h i l d r e n , ” J o e says They held weddings, birthdays, and Christmas parties. Hikes and picnics were routine affairs, but the couple’s fondest memory was the hours of hockey played on their small pond
Over the years, the slow pace of life in North Sandwich helped them reset during stressful times and rejuvenate their senses
“My work in Washington, D C , involved high pressure and a lot of traveling. For example, in one year at the Pentagon, I v i s i t e d 5 3 c o u n t r i e s i n 5 2 w e e k s , ” s a i d Joe, who, among many other titles, has ser ved as assistant secretar y of defense for international security affairs, chair of the National Intelligence Council, and deputy under the secretar y of state for security
assistance, science, and t
time on weekends on
of perspective on what really mattered in life.”
forester for advice on how to manage their property for the benefit of the environment and wildlife He suggested they enlist it in the New Hampshire Tree Farm Program. A Tree Farm is woodland, 10 acres or more, that is managed to produce forest products w
wildlife habitat, water quality, recreation, and scenic values. All Tree Farms have and actively use a written management plan a
n
to forest stewardship. Conser ving land,
especially large parcels of unfragmented habitat, was a goal of the Nyes from the get-go, so later that year, they signed up and haven’t looked back since “When you walk in these woods and encounter stone walls among one-hundred-year-old pines, you realize how much history is preserved in these forests,” Joe says. “We like to feel we are helping to protect that history ”
In subsequent years, the Nyes continued to acquire land, and in 2007 they donated a nearly 494-acre conser vation easement to the Forest Society. Then in
2024, they donated an additional 391acre conser vation easement and covered t h e t r a n s a c t i o n c o s t s a n d s t e w a r d s h i p funds associated with the project. In total, their generous donation protects 1 5 miles along the east side of the Whiteface River and 0.8 miles along the west side. It also protects another 0 8 miles along the Cold River, a favorite spot of Joe’s to fish for Eastern Brook Trout, which prefer cold, well-oxygenated streams. “Joe and Molly Nye, with the support of their family, have made a meaningful contribution to the wildlife and waterways in their own backyard and beyond,” Forest Society President Jack Savage says. “We are thrilled to have
partnered with the Nyes over the years, safeguarding nearly 900 acres of carefully managed forest that encompass parts of the Whiteface and Cold Rivers. We are deeply honored by their trust in us to preserve and steward their lasting legacy.”
The Nye conservation easement adds to a protected corridor, including lands in the White Mountain National Forest and other privately owned parcels protected by conservation easements in the towns of Sandwich and Tamworth, for an array of wildlife to migrate through and live within. For decades, the Nye family has managed their land with the goals of maintaining a healthy forest and improving
wildlife habitat while protecting sensitive natural sites, such as wetlands and adjacent rivers According to New Hampshire Fish & Game’s Wildlife Action Plan, 166 acres of habitat within the easement are considered “Highest Ranked in the State” and an additional 426 acres are categorized as important regional habitats or supporting habitats by this same plan. Located within a “Focus Area” for the Lakes Region C o n s e r v a t
P l a n , t h e N
e p r o p e r t y benefits and contributes to a larger landscape-scale effort by the Forest Society, conservation partners, and private landowners in the region “It is nice to think of this land being preserved for its natural
beauty and restorative powers for future generations,” Joe notes. “And we love the idea of it being a sanctuary for wildlife.”
After a Februar y 2024 storm blanketed the region with a foot of light, fluffy snow, animal tracks weaved through the fields and forests around the Nye’s farmhouse The couple knows those tracks will forever be etched in the histor y of the land where ever ything from birds to bears can come and go as they please. “Molly and I b e l i e v e d i t ’s i m p o r t a n t t h a t e v e r y o n e cares about conserving land It’s how we’ll leave a legacy at a place that is ver y close to our hearts ”
Ryan Smith is the communications manager for the Forest Society.
The Forest Society is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Molly Nye in December 2024. Her unwavering spirit, kindness, and contributions to conservation touched the hearts of many As we remember her life and legacy, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to know her
By Matt Leahy
We can protect our state’s forests and manage them with a long-term vision at the same time. This belief is embedded in the Forest S o c i e t y ’s m i s s i o n U n f o r t u n a t e l y, N e w Hampshire has become a focal point in the on-going debate between those who think forests, especially publicly owned ones, should be free of any human interventions, and those who believe an active management approach will lead to healthier forests These divergent opinions were highlighted in May 2024 when a Vermontbased organization filed a lawsuit against the U S Forest Service over two planned timber har vests in the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF)
This split is regrettable, partly because it obscures the fact that both sides cherish the forests in our state, but also because the issue has seemingly been boiled down to a far too simplified either-or fallacy Given this conflict, the challenge has become how society can best meet the overarching goal of keeping our forests as forests
Any discussion or debate on this issue must begin with an acknowledgement that for centuries forests have provided support for basic human needs: shelter, heat, and even transportation Equally important is the fact that forests provide vital services such as clean water, wildlife habitats, outdoor recreation opportunities, and mitigation against the damaging effects of climate change These supports and ser vices are daily reminders of how forests and forest-related products have strengthened our quality of life in New Hampshire, both historically and into the present day Promoting sustainable forest management the “wise use” of the forests as called for in the Forest Society’s mission statement is a key part of perpetuating these ser vices. In fact, far from conflicting goals, sustainable forest management and the permanent conservation of forests
are closely linked. This point is succinctly made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Special Report on Climate Change, which states: “Sustainable forest management can prevent deforestation, maintain and enhance carbon sinks, and can contribute toward greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. Sustainable forest management generates socio-economic benefits, and provides fiber, timber, and biomass to meet society’s growing needs.”
That is why we recognize and support other forest landowners, including the WMNF, who are committed to the long-term stewardship of their forest stands. Yes, there have been poorly planned harvests in New Hampshire; however, the correct response is not to flatly end them on public lands The right approach should be to encourage and promote those who are harvesting trees in a sustainable and responsible manner just like with the work the U.S. Forest Service is planning in the WMNF
Perhaps the forests would be better served if we first reset the debate to acknowledge that human activity has affected forest health. The introduction of invasive pests
and plants, poorly planned development, climate change, and heavy, unsustainable logging have altered the composition of the forests in New Hampshire and elsewhere. We therefore have an obligation to lessen the negative effects of those past decisions and to steward forests instead
Imposing uniform management pract i c e s a
whether they are private or public and regardless of the characteristics of each unique place, will not undo these problems. Unfortunately, they will instead undermine the ability of landowners to manage for resilient and diverse forest systems.
It is the Forest Society’s hope that those who have the opposite view on this topic will recognize that forests are complex, living places and that the true risk is the permanent loss of this resource. Restrictive policies won’t help us assess the challenges and needs for each specific stand. Ultimately, they will not help keep our forests as forests That goal should be the unifying one
Matt Leahy is the public policy director for the Forest Society.
We thank our business par tners for their generous suppor t.
Summit Circle ($5,000 and up)
Badger, Peabody & Smith Realty, Inc
Garnet Hill Inc.
Gates Industrial Corporation
Mainstay Technologies
Merrimack County Savings Bank
Nathan Wechsler & Company
OnX Maps
Seaboard International Forest Produc ts, LLC
Whalen Public & Media Relations, LLC
Trustees’ Circle ($2,500 to $4,999)
J Group Hospitality
Mallor y Por traits
Meredith Village Savings Bank
Nor theast Delta Dental
Nor thland Forest Produc ts, Inc.
The Secret Agenc y, LLC
St Mar y ’s Bank
President ’s Circle ($1,000 to $2,499)
BCM Environmental & Land Law, PLLC
Bensonwood & Unity Homes
Check mateHCM Solutions
Chinburg Proper ties
EOS Research Ltd
Frog Hollow Forestr y Froling Energy
Lumbard & Kellner, LLC
New England Private Wealth Advisors, LLC
NH Conser vation Real Estate
Ransmeier & Spellman, P.C.
Rock ywold-Deephaven Camps, Inc
Savings Bank of Walpole
Upstream Tech
Steward ($750 to $999)
Meadowsend Timberlands Limited
TMS Diesel Nor th
Par tner ($500 to $749)
Arcomm Communications Corporation
W. S. Badger Company
Blue Mountain Forest Association
Brookdale Fruit Farm
Capitol Craftsman, LLC
Durgin and Crowell Lumber Co , Inc
FedPoint
Half Moon Enterprises
The Lyme Timber Company LP
Monadnock Paper Mill
The Music Mill
Pine Springs
R.M. Piper, Inc.
Whole Wealth Management, LLC
Colleague ($250 to $499)
Banyan Global
Dublin Road Tap Room & Eater y
Frost Pond Carpentr y
Gideon Asen LLC
Grappone Management Company
Hammond Lumber Company
Hancock Lumber
Innovative Natural Resource Solutions, LLC
Kozikowsk i Proper ties, LLC
Mediation Par tners of New England, LLC
Mulligan Forest, LLC
Nor theast Forest Ser vices
Por tsmouth Paddle Board Company, LLC
Proc tor Hill Forestr y and Logging, LLC
Robbins Lumber
Samyn d’Elia Architec ts, PA
Seven C ’s Inc
Toadstool Bookshops
Tri-State Iron Works, Inc
Underhill Acres, Inc.
Vik ing Forest Produc ts
Winnipesaukee Chocolates
Yankee Publishing, Inc.
Zachar y Berger Associates, Ltd
ADP, LLC
Advent International
American Biltrite, Inc
Amgen, Inc.
Bank of America
Bank of New Hampshire
Boston Scientific
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
The Cigna Group
Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation, Inc.
Davis Polk & Wardwell, LLP
Dell, Inc.
Erie Insurance
Gar tner, Inc
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Google, LLC
Gradient
Hearst Communications, Inc.
Intel Corporation
Jacobs Solutions, Inc.
Jefferies Financial Group, Inc
Johnson & Johnson
Liber ty Mutual Insurance
Lincoln Financial Group
Mac y ’s, Inc.
Manulife Financial Corporation
Microsoft Corporation
Motorola Solutions, Inc.
NetApp, Inc
Prudential Financial, Inc.
Raytheon Technologies Corporation
Shell Oil Company
Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
UnitedHealth Group
Ver tex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
VMware, Inc.
We are grateful to the many businesses that suppor t the Forest Society with gifts of less than $250.
For information about business memberships, sponsorships, or to initiate a gift membership program for your clients or employees, please contac t Anne Truslow at (603) 224-9945 or atruslow@forestsociety org
Snowmelt and rain trickle down the easterly slopes of Stinson Mountain and Bald Mountain in the southern foothills of the White Mountains. Gurgling through a series of intermittent and perennial streams, water collects in an expansive basin known as Campton Bog Here, a wide variety of habitat types and natural communities converge, creating one of the largest peatland systems in the region, rich with plants and wildlife.
Paddling into the bog or to be correct, f e n r e v e a l s a w i l d k i n g d o m o f o p e n water, floating peat, sphagnum mosses, pitcher plants, sundew, sedges, and cotton g r a s s , s u r r o u n d e d b y m o u n t a i n v i e w s .
Adjacent lands include unique forested wetlands and managed uplands, including b l a c k g u m s w a m p , l o w l a n d s p r u c e - f i r forest, dense shrub thickets and floodplain that offer habitat for wildlife as common
as beaver, as iconic as moose, bear, fisher and brook trout, and as increasingly rare as rusty blackbird, olive-sided flycatcher and eastern towhee
F r o m C a m p t o n B o g , w a t e r d r a i n s southward to Bog Brook and then into the Pemigewasset River, which soon meets t h e Wi n n i p e s a u k e e R i v e r t o f o r m t h e Merrimack. This is the trail from the White Mountains to the sea
Peatlands, bogs, fens, and swamps are habitat types that are increasingly critical to combating climate change In addition to sequestering and storing carbon, they ser ve as sponges and filters, helping to mitigate the effects of flooding by collecting and then slowly releasing water They also harbor an exceptional diversity of plants, animals and invertebrates through various stages of life cycles and seasons (For more, please see Forest Notes (Summer
2024), and enjoy Annie Proulx’s recent book Fen, Bog & Swamp )
working with two landowner groups to
round and include almost two-thirds of Campton Bog The property includes open water, meandering streams, and upland forested areas, all managed for decades as
they returned from grazing lands to forest and fen. A NH Fish and Game access point offers a public kayak and canoe launch into the bog By placing these lands
u n d e r c o n s e r v a t i o n e a s ements, the bog will remain undeveloped, retaining the wild character of this magical place
The property is located in three parcels: one tract of 462 acres, one of 211 acres, and one of 81 acres The total cost of purchasing conservation easements
o n a l l t h
e
m stewardship funds comes to $997,000. Fortunately, the project was awarded funding by the federal Natural
R e s o u r c e s C o n s e r v a t i o n
S e r v i c e ( N R C S ) R e g i o n a l
C o n s e r v a t i o n P a r t n
r s h i p Program (RCPP), by the NH Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP), and by the NH State Conservation Committee’s Moose Plate Program Along with contributions by the landowners and philanthropic grants, nearly $885,000 is
already committed to the project Now the Forest Society must raise the final $112,000 to complete the 750-acre project
Would you like to help? Your gift can provide the crucial funds to make this project happen In order to close with
Name:
Address:
Telephone: Email:
Enclosed is my tax- deductible contribution of $
VI S A MasterCard Number:
Please mail the completed form to:
Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests 54 Por tsmouth Street, Concord, NH 03301
Donate online at forestsociety.org/campton-bog For more information, call Anne Truslow at 603-224-9945 or email atruslow@forestsociety.org.
our goal is to secure all funds needed by August 1, 2025
Thank you for your help!
54 Por tsmouth Street
Concord, NH 03301-5400
Address Ser vice Requested
My
are threefold. First, as a volunteer land steward, I can monitor properties while spending time with Bethany, passing on my knowledge and love for the outdoors to her Second, as a member, I can connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about protecting our state Finally, as a carpenter by trade, I am part of an industr y that relies on forest products to sur vive The conser vation efforts and forest management practiced by the Forest Society help to ensure a consistent supply of the raw materials that are needed to construct our homes today and for years to come ”
Tom Hebert
Tom and Bethany are among the 10,000 members who help the Forest Society protect and manage critical lands for wildlife, water quality, wood, and wellness across the state.
To join them, visit forestsociety org/join-today Tom Heber t Pembroke,
As a volunteer land steward, I can not only grow my relationship with my father but also give back to our community. There is something truly special about working with your hands to protect and conserve our forests Whether it is clearing trails or volunteering at The Rocks to help sell Christmas trees, you can see the results of your efforts firsthand Ultimately, volunteering with the Forest Society is more than just giving back It’s given me purpose, and I am so thankful to share this experience with my father ” Bethany Hebert